2004 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

Sex Offenders

Outlines specific conditions of parole to be imposed on sex offenders released from prison, to be applied at the discretion of the Prisoner Review Board. Affects all those required under current law to register under the Sex Offender Registration Act. Supported by Illinois Department of Corrections.

Status: Public Act 93-0865

(Dillard-Delgado)

Proposed by the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Team (I-SORT). Requires photographs used on the sex offender registry to be updated annually, enhances the penalty for violations of the registry law from Class 4 felony to Class 3 felony, and makes other registry format changes. Updates statute to conform with federal requirements as to sex offender registration on campus. Supported by Illinois State Police, Illinois Sheriffs Association, Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, Illinois State Attorneys Association, and other law enforcement groups.

Status: Public Act 93-0979

Modifies the current law which requires persons who commit first degree murder of a child after 1996 to be classified as sexual predators and register on the Sex Offender Registry. Changes the law as to those currently incarcerated for first degree murder of a child, requiring them to register upon release from prison; thus closing an existing loophole that would allow a number of currently incarcerated child murderers to avoid registration. Also requires sex offenders to notify law enforcement prior to relocating outside the state of Illinois.

Status: Public Act 0977

Consumer Protection

(Garrett-Ryg)

Requires retail gift cards to disclose expiration dates, fees and penalties for inactivity on card itself or provide a toll free number that consumers can call to obtain the information at no charge. Supported by Illinois Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), the Illinois Retail Merchants Associations, AARP, and others.

Status: Public Act 93-0945

SB 3148

Truth-in-Auto Financing: This legislation would require auto dealers to fully disclose hidden markups on car loan interest rates. Specifically, auto dealers would have to disclose to the consumer the "buy rate" - the interest rate for the loan the consumer would be entitled to, based upon their creditworthiness. Additionally, the auto dealer would have to disclose the "markup" to this rate, which is the amount of interest over and above the buy rate charged to the consumer.

Status: Senate - 2nd Reading

Status: Tabled by Sponsor

Methamphetamine

Places restrictions on the retail sale of certain products containing ingredients used to manufacture methamphetamine (ephedrine or pseudophedrine), including limitations on the number of packages sold per transaction and placement restrictions for products within retail stores. Requires training of employees. Supported by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and numerous law enforcement entities.

Status: Public Act 93-1008

Law Enforcement

(Millner-Harmon)

Amends the unauthorized videotaping statute to take into account advances in technology and provides criminal penalties for the unauthorized transmission of images which are not recorded. Enhances penalties when subject of recording or transmission is a minor or the perpetrator is subject to registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act.

Status: Public Act 93-0851

Civil Rights

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to provide the Office of the Attorney General with the ability to commence a civil action on behalf of the people for pattern and practice violations of civil rights laws, including discrimination on the basis of race, gender, national origin, disability, etc.. Supported by the Illinois Department of Human Rights.

Status: Public Act 93-1017

Veterans

Creates a business offense with a fine of up to $10,000 for a knowing violation of the Service Member’s Employment Tenure Act (formerly Service Men’s Employment Tenure Act), which provides that an employee called for military service shall be restored to his or her position with that employer at the end of that service.

Status: Public Act 93-0828

Environmental

Clean-up of Safe and Clean Communities Act passed last session to ensure intent of law is properly enforced. Supported by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Status: Public Act 93-0826

Reinstates the Attorney General’s ability to obtain injunctive relief, requiring polluters to clean up contamination they have caused following the Illinois Appellate Court’s AgPro decision. Supported by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

Status: Public Act 93-0831

Administrative/Clean-Up

Clean-up for Tobacco Escrow Enforcement Act of 2003 which corrects an erroneous section reference in last year’s legislation.

Status: Public Act 93-0930

Changes the name of the Environmental Enforcement Division to the Environmental Enforcement-Asbestos Litigation Division of the Office of the Attorney General. Change would expand permissible use of Asbestos Abatement Fund to include other environmental enforcement actions within this division.

Status: Public Act 93-0932